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SA: Pilani Bubu to launch third album in Joburg

South African contemporary soul artist Pilani Bubu is set to launch her third album at Untitled Basement in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 27 February.

Pilani Bubu.

The album, titled Folklore – Chapter 1, features 17 songs and is available for streaming. Physical copies of the album are available here and will be sold at the event.

“I would like the album series, which will feature various chapters over time, to give back to the communities where this music originates,” Bubu told Music In Africa. “The project is inclusive of songs and interludes inspired by my travels, where I found myself looking back to my roots, as people wanted to know more of who I am, where I come from and what the make-up of our music was.

“I then started to perform music inspired by South African traditional folk songs in a more contemporary setting. I am also looking to self-fund my upcoming residencies in Ghana, Mozambique, Cuba and Pondoland for folklore content documentation.”

Bubu features Lebo Mochudi, Billy Monama, Mpho Kodisang, Bheka Mthethwa, Mpumi Ndamase and H3 on the new offering. Her two previous albums are Journey of the Heart and Warrior of Light.

Bubu said the making of Folklore – Chapter 1 was inspired by her intention to preserve and capture traditional music.

“Folklore is the expressive body of culture shared among a people, captured through various art forms inclusive of traditional beliefs, customs, proverbs, sayings and tales passed on through generations by word of mouth. In this album series I want to treasure traditional folk music, giving it a more contemporary setting, renewed meaning and more context.”

“My approach has always been to perform my music for at least two years live before recording,” Bubu said. “It often grows and new ideas come in. My band members are also involved in the making of the album."

Bubu says she has grown her fan base outside South Africa in such countries as Ghana, the UK and the US, where she often performs.

“I have found audiences outside South Africa more receptive to my music, in its niche styles. They come to shows without pre-emptive expectations of what a South African artist should sound like. They leave transformed and converted. It has been a beautiful journey of gaining new audiences and fans outside of the country. As you know, sometimes the prophet is not always known at home. So, I perform mostly out of the country.”

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